headers

[cruppert77]

I am currently building a 383 for my 77 stepside and am using Trick Flow 23 degree angle plug heads. Before I bought the heads, I bought some Summit ceramic coated headers. One plug is too close to the pipes. I called Summit, they said the only headers that they had that would fit were Hooker Super Comp(about $600.00).
They also said that if I broke in the engine with ceramic coated headers, that it would ruin the finish and void the warranty. What can I do? Thanks for your help, I've been following this site since I started work on my truck.  

[roundedline]

DEFINITELY don't break the motor in with the ceramic headers if you get them.  How close it the plug?  in-accessible/can't install close or "man that boot is almost touching" close

Chris Lucas
www.73-87chevytrucks.com
www.captkaoscustoms.com
Project Su
Jimmy 2WD Project

[shaved80]

what's wrong with breaking in a motor with ceramic headers?

[roundedline]

It will discolor them by getting too hot.  Especially if you are breaking in a cam and the timing/ A/F ratio it off...

Chris Lucas
www.73-87chevytrucks.com
www.captkaoscustoms.com
Project Su
Jimmy 2WD Project

[cruppert77]

The spark plug is about 1/4" from the pipe

[cruppert77]

If this is my only option, I might return the ceramic headers for some painted ones, and beat a small dent in them?

[shaved80]

how long does it take for the motor to break in? is it the 500 miles? cause it ran for a while with regular steel headers, and i just put ceramic ones on and haven't run it yet. but the headers used to be run on a 13 second monte...

Edited by: shaved80 at: 2/2/06 2:10 am

[roundedline]

So you can still get the boot on there?  Were the current headers designed for the heads?  I don't know what to tell you.

Shaved80, if the engine is already broken in (first 15 minutes for the cam) then you are fine.

Chris Lucas
www.73-87chevytrucks.com
www.captkaoscustoms.com
Project Su
Jimmy 2WD Project

[cruppert77]

Ican fit the plug wire on, but it touches the pipe. I asked trick flow, and they said that Accel made plugs that were shorter for headers? How far do I need to be away from the pipe? Also, I plan on dropping the truck next year, is there a concern? Maybe a 4/6 drop.Thanks

[shaved80]

accel does indeed make shorty plugs. i think they were about $30

[huntingaddict]

I think the accel plugs are around a 1/4 shorter so with them if you already have 1/4 you would have plenty.  I've never heard that one about breaking in a cam ruining the headers.  I guess it is a function of airflow through the engine compartment while it is idling high to break it in in the shop.  I think you could just put 2 fans blowing some good air over each header and be alright.  You do want to make sure you don't have it running too lean and causing the headers to glow as that would definitely ruin the header coating, but it's not that difficult to richen the idle circuit while the thing is running.  

Tom

[roundedline]

It isn't headers in General, it is Ceramic coated headers.

Chris Lucas
www.73-87chevytrucks.com
www.captkaoscustoms.com
Project Su
Jimmy 2WD Project

[huntingaddict]

I understand that.  I'm just saying that they generally get chalky looking from getting too hot and they get too hot during engine breakin running in a shop because of poor air flow over the headers while it's not going down the road.  2 fans can help with this to provide the airflow over the headers to help them cool.

Tom